A study of the Old Testament covering biblical books, their historical contexts, genres and ancient Near Eastern cultural contexts necessary for interpretation. The basics of exegetical method particular to the genres of the Old Testament will be covered. Principles of biblical interpretation will also be covered especially from a Catholic perspective. Lectures and assignments including quizzes, exams and a final paper.

Through the experience of reading and reflecting on the entire text of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament as well as key select passages, participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the sources, history, and development of the canonical books in critical relation to their place in ancient Near Eastern culture and history. Attention will be given to issues such as call, covenant, law, ritual, kingship, prophetic movements, reform movements, exile/deportation and return, wisdom and apocalyptic as shaping forces in biblical identity. Lectures and exegetical sessions will seek to assist participants with methodologies that will build their confidence and competence in engaging the texts in the context of the pastoral life of the church and in relation to contemporary culture and discourse.

Survey of New Testament world, authors, theologies. Introduction to the historical-critical and other methods of exegesis. Focus on the relation of hermeneutic to Christian Theological traditions; determining the senses of Scripture, the intent of the author, the structures in the texts; stance of the reader. Lecture/Discussion; paper; mid-term and final exam.

In alternate years, this course will include an overview of either the Wisdom tradition or the Prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible. We will focus on one or two books, attending to the historical and cultural context in which they took shape but also pay attention to their significance of wisdom or the prophetic message for the Christian tradition. Lectures and discussion. Papers, no tests. Prerequisite: EMB1003 or equivalent.

Schedule: Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00Schedule Notes: April 27, May 4, 11 and 25Instructors:Heather MacumberTeaching Methods: Lectures Other Information: First Semester · One CreditEnrollment Notes: Last day to add: April 15 / Last day to drop: April 30 / Last day to pay: May 3

This course provides practice analyzing and translating early Christian and Jewish Greek texts, and interpreting them with respect to their literary and social contexts. Lecture, discussion. Quizzes, exegetical assignment, final exam.

This course will examine how major characters in the Old Testament have been read, interpreted and proclaimed from the 19th Century through to today. Special attention will be given to Adam and Eve, Sarah, Abraham and Hagar, Lot, Lot's wife and daughters, Moses and Miriam, Rahab, Samson and Delilah, the Levite and the concubine, David and his women, Ahaz and Jezebel, Vashti and Ahasuerus, and images of "bad girls and boys". We will ask questions about how we read and interpret texts and how biblical stories can be used in the church today. The course will consist of lectures and small group discussions. Evaluation is based on class participation (20%), a book report due the first day (30%) and a final paper or project.

Note: pre-course assignment due on first day of class. See syllabus on website (wycliffecollege.ca) for info.

Offered in Summer 2013 · New Course · Toronto (St. George Campus) Site

It is often the case that people in the church do not know what to do with difficult biblical tests. This applies especially to the letters of Paul. This course will give students an opportunity to clarify their own hermeneutical approach to biblical texts by looking at three passages from Paul’s letters that are often seen as particularly controversial, difficult or troublesome. It will also give them an opportunity to explore how contemporary biblical scholarship can be assistance in reading texts like these.

Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:30 to 12:30 · Begins: 05/21 · Ends: 05/31Schedule Notes: Last day to register: May 3 / last day to drop: May 23 / last day to pay: May 17Instructors:John EggerTeaching Methods: Lectures, Seminars Other Information: First Semester · One Credit · Min: 10 · Max: 30

Offered in Summer 2013 · New Course · Toronto (St. George Campus) Site

This course surveys various points at which a number of New Testament authors encountered the Roman Empire – directly or indirectly. It aims to acquaint students with the political world of the New Testament and to aid students in the development of a biblical hermeneutic conscious of its implications. The class will involve a combination of lecture, full class discussion, and small group discussion. Students will be assessed by a book review assignment, two summary papers, a final research paper, and classroom participation.

Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 · Begins: 06/03 · Ends: 06/13Schedule Notes: Last day to register: May 17 / last day to drop: June 5 / last day to pay: May 24Instructors:Christopher B. ZeichmanTeaching Methods: Lectures, Seminars Other Information: First Semester · One Credit · Min: 10 · Max: 25

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church. Lecture. Written assignments, site visit, and final paper. Intro to OT (KNB1006) or equivalent, plus any 2000 level Bible course.

Student should have read the following books (available at Crux bookstore at Wycliffe College) prior to the start of the course:

Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country. New York, NY: Scribner, 2003

Paul, Greg. God in the Alley: Being and Seeing Jesus in a Broken World. Colarado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2004

Offered in Summer 2013 · New Course · Toronto (St. George Campus) Site

The course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of emotion in Paul's communication with early Christian communities. We will study emotional appeals as a rhetorical strategy of the letters as well as the effects of such emotions in human beings (including their cultural construction, biological and psychological effects, role in cognition). The overarching question of the course is how to cultivate emotional intelligence in our readings of Paul's letters. Lectures, class discussions of assigned readings, graded presentations and writing assignments.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. The way in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger, justice for women, and peace and violence are interrelated will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the issue of justice in our world today. Two short papers, one major research paper.

Close reading of selected Psalms, according to these categories: a. Psalms in the OT that appear in the NT; b. key psalms within the structure of the Psalter; c. imprecatory psalms; d. popular psalms that do not appear in the NT. Tasks: a. Original language work in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, b. Reading (in translation) of the reception history of the Psalms, including the use of the Psalms in the NT, also c. chiefly Diodore and Theodore, Origen, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Rashi, Calvin, Luther, moderns, and d. Selected readings in hermeneutics, including Frei. Teaching Method -- two weekly seminars, with readings for discussion and analysis of the primary sources. Means of evaluation -- one major paper to be submitted at the end of the term.

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church. Lecture. Written assignments, site visit, and final paper. Intro to OT (KNB1006) or equivalent, plus any 2000 level Bible course.

Students should have read the following books (available at Crux bookstore at Wycliffe College) prior to the start of the course:

Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country. New York, NY: Scribner, 2003

Paul, Greg. God in the Alley: Being and Seeing Jesus in a BrokenWorld. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2004

Offered in Summer 2013 · New Course · Toronto (St. George Campus) Site

The course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of emotion in Paul's communication with early Christian communities. We will study emotional appeals as a rhetorical strategy of the letters as well as the effects of such emotions in human beings (including their cultural construction, biological and psychological effects, role in cognition). The overarching question of the course is how to cultivate emotional intelligence in our readings of Paul's letters. Lectures, class discussions of assigned readings, graded presentations and writing assignments.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. The way in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger, justice for women, and peace and violence are interrelated will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the issue of justice in our world today. Two short papers, one major research paper.